Using the windows button makes a big difference in this version. I NEVER used it once before w8 now its almost mandatory when you get locked in one of those Metro apps. It took me days to figure out how to get out of there until someone finally told me to push the windows key to minimize the window. I was using Alt-f4.
The only thing you can do to make it more useful is install a 3rd party start button that auto loads to desktop. I use pokki.